Merriwa Silo Art

Every year on the June long weekend, Merriwa hosts the Festival of the Fleeces, an event that raises essential funds for the town, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and District Volunteer Rescue Squads. Established in 1990, this major event was developed to showcase Merriwa's agricultural heritage, focusing on the history of the Merino sheep and its impact on the community. Each year, the highlight of the Festival is the 'Running of the Sheep' parade. The origin of the running of the red-socked sheep dates back to when a sponsor, unable to provide financial support, donated red socks instead. The committee decided to put the socks on the sheep, and thus, the tradition began. Today, the sheep don red socks as they run down the street, adding a unique and memorable element to the festivities. International art management company Authority Creative represented Melbourne-born artist David Lee Pereira in his first silo mural project. After visiting Merriwa and engaging with the Upper Hunter Shire Council and local community members, including school children, David was inspired to create a distinctive artwork that resonates with the place and its people. The Merriwa Silos, completed on April 23, 2019, are the 29th addition to the Australian Silo Art Trail Collection. This project was made possible through the support of the Merriwa Tourism and Promotion Committee and GrainCorp.